KR20140124417A - Lighting driver having multiple dimming interfaces - Google Patents

Abstract

Lighting control techniques, and corresponding drivers and ballasts are described. In some embodiments, the driver or ballast receives a plurality of dimming inputs, has a plurality of dimming interfaces, and the plurality of dimming interfaces generate initial dimming signals or levels. The initial dimming signals are manipulated by the controller to produce a final output dimming signal or level that is based on the received dimming signals and dimming the attached light sources accordingly. The operations performed by the controller may include calculating various calculations, e.g., comparisons and multiplications of the initial dimming signals. In some embodiments, techniques may be applied to light emitting diode (LED) drivers or ballasts for fluorescence and other discharge light sources and may be used in smart grid and peak power shaping applications.

Description

[0001] LIGHTING DRIVER HAVING MULTIPLE DIMMING INTERFACES [0002]

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 61 / 588,838, filed January 20, 2012, entitled " LED CIRCUIT ", the disclosures of which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety.

The present application relates to lighting technology, and more particularly, to lighting actuators and ballasts having a plurality of dimming interfaces.

Powering the light sources within the illumination system may be advantageous for designing economical actuators / stabilizers without sacrificing the desired function or performance, especially for designing many economical actuators / stabilizers, ≪ / RTI >

1 is a general block diagram of an illumination system constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, with n dimming interfaces.
Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating various exemplary dimming scenarios that may be performed by the illumination system of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
3 (a). Fig. 3 (a) - Fig. 3 (d), according to an embodiment of the present invention, illustrate exemplary input signals and corresponding output signals for the exemplary dimming scenarios illustrated in Fig. 2 For example.
4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary sequence for toggling dimming modes in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.
5 is a detailed block diagram of a lighting system constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.
Figure 6 is a detailed block diagram of an illumination system constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
7 is a detailed block diagram of an illumination system constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.
8 is a detailed block diagram of an illumination system constructed in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention.

Lighting controllers and corresponding actuators and ballasts are described. In some embodiments, the driver or ballast has a plurality of dimming interfaces for receiving a plurality of dimming inputs and generating initial dimming signals or levels. Initial dimming signals are manipulated by the controller to produce a final output dimming signal or level and the final output dimming signal or level is based on the received dimming signals and dimming along the attached light sources. In some embodiments, the operations performed by the controller may include various operations such as comparisons of the initial dimming signals and computing the product thereof. In some such cases, the dimming operation is configurable because the end-user of the space being illuminated can select between different dimming modes (e.g., based on a multiplication or a total minimum). Techniques can be applied to, for example, light emitting diode (LED) drivers or ballasts for fluorescent light sources and high density discharge (HID) and other types of gas-discharge light sources and can be used in smart grid and peak power shaping applications . Although some specific exemplary embodiments provided herein operate in the context of LED lighting systems, as will be appreciated in view of this disclosure, techniques may be applied to other applications, such as HID and gas- Or may be used in other ways. Many configurations and modifications will be apparent in light of the present disclosure.

General Overview

As described above, there are a number of minor problems associated with powering the light sources in the illumination system. The design of one specific component-driver or ballast-of the lighting system has become increasingly important. LED drivers are typically used to provide power sources suitable for LED systems. The ballasts perform similar operations to provide power sources suitable for HID and other types of gas-discharge (e.g., fluorescence) illumination systems. The drivers and stabilizers can also perform a number of additional functions including, for example, power factor correction and voltage isolation to protect the LEDs from line-to-voltage variations, and perform other functions to facilitate advanced user control Can be provided to the lighting system. One particular function that the drivers and stabilizers provide or facilitate is dimming the illumination system. Drivers with dimming capabilities (also known as dimming drivers) can dim the LED light output over the entire range of 100% (no dimming, the brightest setting) to 0% (full dimming, darkest setting). Some dimming devices and lighting systems use varying standards and / or interfaces. For example, some currently available fluorescent ballasts have two dimming interfaces: a 0-10V dimming interface and a phase-cut dimming interface. Each of the two dimming interfaces provides a dimming level and the output power of the ballast is controlled by one of the two dimming levels, providing a lower output power. Other lighting control systems offer very complex dimming controls. Such systems typically emerge as standalone systems, and thus are not part of the driver, and therefore require more skilled personnel for installation.

Accordingly, and in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention, illumination control techniques and devices that allow multiple interface types and further allow for end-user configurability are described herein. The interface types may include, for example, a 0-10V dimming interface and a phase-cut dimming interface, although any number of other interface types (e.g., DALI or proprietary, etc.) may be used. The term "dimming level" is used herein to describe the dimming signal in the various stages of the illumination system, and therefore the terms "dimming level" and "dimming signal" are understood to be interchangeable. As will be further appreciated, the term "driver" may be used herein to mean any other ballast for operating, for example, LED drivers or fluorescent ballasts or other types of gas discharge lighting devices. The term "LED" as used herein includes inorganic light emitting diodes (sometimes also referred to as LEDs) and organic light emitting diodes (sometimes referred to as OLEDs). The signals discussed herein may be analog or digital, depending on the particular implementation used. The dimming levels generated by the dimming devices are enumerated as a percentage of the maximum output throughout the disclosure, i.e., when the 100% dimming level is the maximum or total output (the brightest configuration) and the 0% dimming level is the minimum or 0 output Darkest configuration). For example, if the dimming device dims by 30%, the final dimming signal or level will be at 70%.

Dimming  Control Methodology

1 is a general block diagram of a multi-interface illumination system constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. (Input 1, input 2, ... input n), e.g., input power, input voltage or current, a control signal, or an accompanying protocol And receives any other dimming input signal based on the input signal. As described herein, each dimming interface may include at least one initial dimming signal or level (dimming signal / level 1, dimming signal / level 2, ... dimming signal / level n) To the devices configured to receive these levels and to manipulate these signals through calculations, mathematical operations, and comparisons. A single dimming interface may output more than one initial dimming signal or level, e.g., a digital interface (e.g., DALI) may output three or more dimming signals. A central device, referred to and depicted herein as "controller ", may be, for example, coupled to a switching matrix or otherwise operatively coupled to a switching matrix and programmed or otherwise manipulated to interpret and / or manipulate the received various dimming signals A microprocessor, a microprocessor, or a microprocessor.

The term "manipulate / manipulate / manipulate" as used herein in the context of a controller that manipulates one or more of the initial dimming signals or other received inputs includes, for example: (E.g., to produce a total min / max signal from the output signal), performing various calculations (e.g., multiplying the dimming signals to produce a product, taking an average of all the dimming signals, adding dimming signals ), Storing, recording, filtering, combining, dividing, amplifying, isolating, identifying, and / or including any combination of these and other operations . The controller generates a final dimming output signal / level based on its configuration or programming, as shown in Fig. This final dimming output signal / level is received by the light source to be dimmed / controlled, which causes the lights of the illumination system to be dimmed or controlled accordingly. In some embodiments, intermediate operations and / or devices (e.g., correction blocks / circuitry, conversion devices / circuitry, etc.) may be added to the illumination system shown in FIG. As will be further appreciated, the various modules and functions described herein may be provided in a discrete manner as shown (where the dimming interfaces are distinct from the controller, as is the light source to be controlled), dimming Each of the interfaces and / or the light source may be integrated as desired, such as exemplary embodiments incorporated into the controller.

According to embodiments of the present invention, a number of different dimming modes may be used, such as no-dimming, all-min, full-max, multiplication-based , And selective-control. The no-dimming mode is when there are no dimming interfaces or dimming devices enabled or used, just as the lighting system is connected to only at least one simple on-off optical switch. This allows embodiments of the present invention to be utilized in lighting systems without dimming functions. The total-minimum dimming mode causes the output signal to be controlled by a minimum of all the dimming levels. The full-max dimming mode causes the output signal to be controlled by a maximum of all the dimming levels. The multiplication-based dimming mode causes the output signal to be proportional to the product of all the dimming levels. Selective-control dimming modes cause the output signal to be driven directly by one of the selected dimming levels available from the dimming interfaces. Only one dimming device or interface can be programmed to set the driver in this configuration when it is desired to use only one dimming device or interface (or when the use of one or more dimming devices or interfaces is not desired) Or when enabled (or when one or more dimming devices or interfaces are disabled), the selective-control mode may be activated automatically. These dimming modes are provided as examples and may also be thought of as single calculations or operations performed by the controller. Other methods of generating the final output signal driving the attached light source (s), such as combining the dimming modes or including other operations, may be provided, as will be apparent in light of this disclosure.

Figure 2 is a flow chart illustrating various exemplary dimming scenarios that may be performed by the illumination system of Figure 1, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The system of this exemplary embodiment has two dimming interfaces-a 0-10V dimming interface and a phase-cut dimming interface. This embodiment includes five different dimming modes: no-dimming, optional-control 1 (only 0-10V dimming interface is enabled), optional-control 2 (only phase-dimming interface is enabled) Minimum, and multiplication-based. According to some embodiments, the controller outputs a pulse width modulation (PWM) based dimming output signal.

After startup (when the controller is turned on or receives power), the non-volatile memory is read to determine the dimming mode, as further illustrated by the exemplary embodiment of FIG. In this example, non-volatile memory is EEPROM (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory), although any suitable memory (e.g., FLASH memory or battery-buffered RAM) may be used. In this embodiment, the EEPROM configuration byte is read to determine which of the five dimming modes has been selected (e.g., by the end-user or automatically by the system). The first or extraordinary branch represents an exemplary technique for a dimming or dimming configuration that sets the dimming or dim level to 100%. This may also be the result of no dimming devices connected to the illumination system and / or no enabled dimming interfaces.

The next branch of FIG. 2 illustrates a description of a selective-control dimming mode or configuration using only a 0-10V dimming interface (the phase-cut dimming device / interface is disabled). In this configuration, while the lighting driver is on and the corresponding output value is taken from the look-up table (or otherwise derived from the dimming interface signal) to set the dim level to the appropriate return value, the 0-10V dimming interface continues . For example, in a selective-control dimming mode (where the phase-cut dimming device / interface is disabled), a 0-10V dimming interface signal 201 ) ≪ / RTI > This signal 201 is sent to the controller and the controller outputs the PWM dimming control output signal 203, which causes a dim level of 50%. Because the phase-cut dimming device or interface is disabled (or not selected), the phase-cut dimming interface signal 202 in this configuration does not affect the output.

The intermediate branch of FIG. 2 illustrates a technique similar to that of the preceding paragraph, except that the optional-control dimming mode or configuration uses only a phase-cut dimming interface (the 0-10V dimming device / interface is disabled). do. In such an arrangement, while the lighting driver is on and the corresponding output value is taken from the look-up table (or otherwise derived from the dimming interface signal) to set the dim level to the proper return value, the phase- do. For example, in the selective-control dimming mode (where the 0-10V dimming device / interface is disabled), the phase-cut dimming interface signal 202 is set to 75%, as shown in FIG. This signal 202 is sent to the controller and the controller outputs a PWM dimming control output signal 203 which causes a dim level of 75%. In this configuration, the 0-10V dimming interface signal 201 does not affect the output because the 0-10V dimming device or interface is disabled (or not selected).

The next or fourth branch of FIG. 2 illustrates a description of a full-to-minimum dimming mode or configuration for this embodiment. This configuration uses both a 0-10V dimming interface and a phase-cut dimming interface to generate a 0-10V (0-10V) dimming signal while the lighting driver is turned on and the corresponding output value taken from the lookup table (or otherwise derived from the dimming interface signals) Both the dimming interface and the phase-cut dimming interface continue to be read. The final output signal or dim level is then set to the full-to-minimum value of all of the interfaces, i.e. the lower of the two values returned from the interfaces in this embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 3C, the 0-10V dimming interface signal 201 is set to 50% and the phase-cut dimming interface signal 202 is set to 75%. These signals 201 and 202 are accessed by the controller and the controller outputs the PWM dimming control output signal 203 at an appropriate dim level. In this example, since the dimming mode is full-min (i.e., because the controller manipulates the two initial dimming signals by comparing the two initial dimming signals and taking the lower value), the resulting values-50% and 75% - is taken, so the resulting final output signal or dim level is 50%.

The extreme right branch of Figure 2 illustrates a description of a multiplication-based dimming mode or configuration for this embodiment. This configuration uses both a 0-10V dimming interface and a phase-cut dimming interface to generate a 0-10V (0-10V) dimming signal while the lighting driver is turned on and the corresponding output value taken from the lookup table (or otherwise derived from the dimming interface signals) Both the dimming interface and the phase-cut dimming interface continue to be read. The final output signal or dim level is then set to the product of the dim levels from all of the interfaces, i. E. The product of the two returned dim levels in this embodiment. For example, as shown in FIG. 3D, the 0-10V dimming interface signal 201 is set to 50% and the phase-cut dimming interface signal 202 is set to 75%. These signals 201 and 202 are accessed by the controller and the controller outputs the PWM dimming control output signal 203 at an appropriate dim level. In this example, because the dimming mode is multiplication-based (i.e., the controller manipulates the two initial dimming signals by multiplying the two initial dimming signals and outputting the product), the product of the resulting values - 50% and 75% - So the resulting final output signal or dim level is 37.5%.

Some embodiments of the present invention enable pre-setting of the maximum output level for the end-user. For example, using the exemplary embodiment discussed with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 - 3D, one of the two dimming interfaces may be controlled by the entire control system, Suppose you can. This enables the entire control system, which is separate from the end-user, to set the maximum brightness level when the system is in the full-to-minimum dimming mode, thereby setting the maximum output level for the system. For example, in a situation where one dimming interface is controlled by the lease principal / building manager and the other dimming interface is controlled by the end-user tenant, the dimming interface of the building manager (e.g., phase-cut dimming interface) If set, this will be the maximum power level that the tenant's lighting system can achieve in a full-to-minimal dimming configuration. Therefore, even if the dimming interface (e. G., 0-10V dimmer) controlled by the tenant is set to 100%, the output signal is held at 90%. However, when the diminishing interface controlled by the tenant is switched to reduce to a dim level of less than 90%, then the dimming interface controls as a full-min value.

This dimming mode may be used in many other situations, for example in parent-control applications where parents use their dimming interface to set the maximum power level (e.g., 100% for the day, but darker at night, , Or the dimming interface of one of the dimming interfaces adjusts the maximum output level at a particular daytime (e.g., 80% between 7 pm and 10 pm pm, 10 am to 7 am Such as restaurants, which allow flexibility at less than its maximum output level through control of the second dimming interface.

Other embodiments of the present invention focus on the use of a multiplier-based dimming mode of a driver. This exemplary configuration can be used to enable the setting of one or more reduction factors that reduce the final output signal or dim level of the illumination system. For example, using the exemplary embodiment discussed with reference to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 - 3D, one of the two dimming interfaces may be controlled by the entire control system, Suppose you can. This causes the output signal of the entire control system dimming interface to be multiplied with the output signal of the end user's dimming interface, which causes the entire control system to operate as a reduction factor when set to any value less than 100%. Many lighting systems are powered by dedicated illumination branches, which can simplify the implementation of a multiplication-based dimming system.

Thus, the present application may enable the entire building management system (BMS) to control a dimming interface (e.g., a phase-cut dimming interface) that is subsequently placed in a circuit breaker that feeds a dedicated illumination branch. Such setup may be enabled, for example, by a utility company to communicate to the BMS in order to reduce all of the light output by a multiple of 10% (i.e., to set the phase-cut dimming interface to a 90% output signal or dim level) . Thus, when the end-user sets his dimming interface (e.g., 0-10V dimmer) to, for example, 80%, the actual final output signal or dim level is 72% (80% * 90%). Such an embodiment may be useful in so-called smart grid applications or peak power shaping applications because the embodiment reduces cost by lowering overall electricity usage during peak peak hours per unit of electricity. In some instances, changes in illumination can be implemented over a time period (e.g., 10 minutes) to reduce dimming induced disturbances for occupants of the illuminated space. For example, if the previous application is continued, the BMS may be configured to continuously change the dimming level to a very slow change rate so that it is effectively overlooked by most tenants when the 10% reduction factor is applied and subsequently removed.

In one or more embodiments, the system is user configurable to allow selection of different dimming modes provided. In some such embodiments, a driver of the system may toggle from one mode to another using a predefined sequence or program of events, typically a sequence or program that is unlikely to occur during normal operation of the illumination system . The active mode may be displayed, for example, in a register or other storage element inside the driver. For example, Figure 4 is a flow chart illustrating an exemplary sequence for toggling dimming modes in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. This particular exemplary embodiment is configured to have two different simple dimming modes: 1) a full-to-minimum dimming mode, and 2) a multiply-based dimming mode. In this example, a single bit (e.g., bit 3) in non-volatile memory is used to determine / code / select the dimming mode. The driver in this example starts at its pre-set or default mode (e.g., set during manufacture of the driver) where bit 3 is cleared. For purposes of illustration, the pre-set mode with bit 3 cleared in this example is the all-min mode.

The driver will remain in full-min mode until both bit 1 and bit 2, which trigger bit 3 to be toggled, are set to a particular sequence. As described above, in the full-to-minimum mode, the final dimming output signal is proportional to the lowest of all the initial dimming signals. Bit 1 is set by the following sequence illustrated in the left column of Figure 4: 1) the driver is powered on, 2) 5-10 seconds have elapsed, 3) the output is shorted for 5-10 seconds, and 4) 5-10 seconds have elapsed, and 5) the actuator is powered off. If any of these conditions is not met - for example, if the output is shorted for 15 seconds - bit 1 will not be set. Bit 2 is set by the following sequence illustrated in the middle column of Figure 4: 1) the driver is powered on, 2) 10-20 seconds have elapsed, 3) the output is shorted for 10-20 seconds, and 4) 10-20 seconds have elapsed, and 5) the actuator is powered off. If the sequence for setting bit 2 is not performed after setting bit 1, bit 1 will be cleared and the user will have to start from the beginning. However, as shown in the right column of FIG. 4, if both bits are properly set at start-up, bit 3 is toggled, and bit 1 and bit 2 are cleared. When bit 3 is toggled, the driver dimming mode is switched. In this driver embodiment, a switch is made to a multiply-based dimming mode (with bit 3 set). As described above, in this mode, the final dimming output signal is the product of all of the initial dimming signals. To switch back to the full-to-minimum mode, the same sequence from above will be performed, which will toggle bit 3 back to the full-min configuration (bit 3 cleared).

The sequence of preceding paragraphs is provided as an example; However, many different sequences orgrams can be used to change the way the controller operates the applied dimming signals. Because only three bits are used in the exemplary sequence above, only three bits of the non-volatile memory (e. G., EEPROM) are consumed as a whole to implement the switching features. In some embodiments, more complex configurations and programming sequences may require additional or different computer memories - including the use of different types of memory, to switch dimming modes. In other embodiments, switching of the configuration of the controller may be accomplished by additional devices such as a physical switch and / or a graphical user interface by which the user may access the controller and / or the digital dimming interface (e.g., DALI) And it can be configured easily. In embodiments using a digital dimming interface, the switching of the configuration of the controller may be performed in many different ways. For example, using a digital dimming interface may allow the controller to be configured by a final-user, an installer (e.g., during commissioning of the lighting system at installation), a building owner, or a building management system (e.g., Using a fully-automated procedure that does not require a real operator). In some embodiments, the switching of the dimming modes may be automatic, for example, by detecting whether the dimming devices are connected to the dimming interfaces or the entire driver. For example, in situations where interfaces are not connected to the dimming device, the interfaces may be selectively disabled, and then the remaining enabled interfaces are utilized, for example, in a multiplication-based dimming mode, Controlled mode and a multiplication-based dimming mode).

In some embodiments, the illumination control techniques provided herein are achieved without a dedicated illumination control component in the illumination system. By integrating the various light controls into the illumination driver, cost and size / space requirements in the illumination system can be reduced. The reductions can be achieved without sacrificing functionality, as actuators can be made configurable for different dimming modes as described herein and can provide flexibility through multiple interfaces . In some applications of the embodiments of the present invention, without the need for additional optical management systems, the end-user may set the light level according to personal preferences and / or may use other control systems, Or building management systems. In order to further illustrate the concepts and devices described herein, the detailed embodiments of the present invention are now described through the disclosures of their driver architectures. These specific driver architectures are provided as examples, and the claimed invention is not intended to be limited to these examples.

Driver  Architecture Examples

5 is a detailed block diagram of a lighting system constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As can be seen, this exemplary system includes a three-channel driver having a plurality of dimming interfaces. Each of the three channels BLl to BL3 supplies power to the LED string. Dimming interfaces are illustrated as Int1-Int5, where Int1 is a phase-cut dimming interface, Int2-Int4 is a 0-10 V dimming interface, and Int5 is a DALI dimming interface. Each interface receives a respective input signal In1-In5 (e.g., Int1 receives In1 and so on). After receiving the respective inputs In1-In5, the interfaces Int1-Int5 output rough dimming levels Ir. In this exemplary embodiment, each of the phase-cut dimming interface Intl and the 0-10V dimming interfaces Int2-Int4 each output a rough dimming level Ir1-Ir4 of the duck. The DALI dimming interface Int5 of this exemplary embodiment outputs three schematic dimming levels or signals Ir5-Ir7. As is known with the use of DALI, three signals can be used for various applications, such as one of Ir5-Ir7 to send an enormous number of different commands to the device using the same structure, Data signals. The rough dimming levels Ir1-Ir7 are fed through corresponding correction blocks CR1-CR7, respectively, and the correction blocks CR1-CR7 can mitigate static (and potentially dynamic) And can also normalize all of the approximate dimming levels Ir1-Ir7, so that the final dimming levels DL1-DL7-sometimes referred to herein as the initial dimming levels or signals-are linear or logarithmic Desired signal shape). In other embodiments, the approximate dimming levels Ir1-Ir7 may be considered as initial dimming signals since other circuits required to normalize all of the correction blocks or the initial dimming signals are integrated into the controller It can be. Normalization ensures that the controller is manipulating similar control signal types, e.g., normalized dimming levels DL1-DL7.

The dimming levels DL1 - DL7 are fed to the controller, which in this particular embodiment includes a programmable switching matrix and a microcontroller programmed or otherwise configured using MIN, MAX, and MULT functions . Note that the final correction block CF1 as well as the correction blocks CR1-CR7 may also be programmed into the microcontroller or otherwise configured. In order for the programmable switching matrix of this particular illustrative embodiment to operate properly, exactly one switch in each row of the matrix needs to be closed, while all other switches must be opened. This constraint ensures that all of the operation blocks (MIN, MAX, MULT) receive the appropriate signal or level. These signals may be analog or digital depending on the specific implementation being used. The operation blocks of the microcontroller provide: 1) MIN - the minimum value of the received signals; 2) MAX - the maximum value of the received signals; And 3) MULT - the product of all of the received signals. However, any desired combination and / or configuration of computation blocks may be used in other embodiments. After the mathematical operations are performed by the three blocks, the final output dimming signal is transmitted to the final correction block CF1, which controls the final current source CS1. This current source CS1 drives the first LED string D11-D1n coupled to the driver, where n represents the number of LEDs on the D1 LED string. Since this is a three-channel driver, there are sections BL2 and BL3 similar to section BL1 for the other two channels of the driver. When configuring a lighting system setup, the use of multiple-channel drivers provides much more flexibility.

In this exemplary embodiment, the matrix includes DL1 feeds (100% values that do not affect other values are fed to the block) into the MULT block, DL2 and DL5 feeds to the MIN block (100% Are fed to the block), and the matrix is set up using a 100% value feed to the MAX block (0% values are fed to the block that have no other effect). This embodiment first performs a MIN operation to output a smaller one of DL2 and DL5 from the MIN block, and then the smaller value is fed to the MULT block. In the MULT block, a MULT operation is performed, The output (DL2 or DL5) and the product of DL1 are output. Since the MAX block receives 100% of its signal in its first column, then this block will then output 100% and therefore will not change the final output signal in this configuration. Therefore, this exemplary embodiment essentially includes a full-to-minimum dimming calculation / mode (selected from a lower output level from a 0-10V dimming interface (Int2) and a DALI (Int5)) and a full- Followed by a multiplication-based dimming calculation / mode (taking the product of the output level from the phase-cut dimming interface Int1 and the MIN result). This discrete switching matrix may be programmed to utilize the dimming interfaces Int1-Int5 in any desired manner (e.g., by using a toggling sequence as described above, or any other suitable switching control mechanism).

If the dimming device is not connected to a driver or ballast, or if each dimming interface is disabled, the corresponding dimming level is typically set to a default of 100%, since dimming will not be applied. For example, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, if the dimming device is not connected to Int1, In1 would be a constant 100%. This will not affect the final output dimming level because this dimming level is being fed to the MULT block. In this particular example, the driver architecture will essentially be a full-to-minimal configuration, where the final output dimming level is a smaller value, DL2 and DL5. In other embodiments and applications, when the dimming device is not connected or when each dimming interface is disabled, the dimming interfaces may instead set the default dimming level to signal values less than 100%.

6 is a block diagram of a 3-channel driver having multiple dimming interfaces in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment depicted in FIG. 5 and described above, except for changes of the programmable switching matrix. Therefore, the preceding discussion of similar parts is equally applicable in this example. As can be seen in more detail and in FIG. 6, the calculation blocks MAX, MIN, and MULT are configured differently from the embodiment shown in FIG. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, the initial dimming levels DL1-DL7 are fed through the MULT block, the MIN block, and the MAX block. The outputs from the MIN block and the MAX block (which may be thought of as intermediate signals) are then fed through the MULT block, and those signals (selected from DL1-DL7 and / or 0% / 100% MIN intermediate signal, and MAX intermediate signal) results in the final output dimming signal. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, the initial dimming levels DL1-DL7 are also fed through the MULT block, the MIN block, and the MAX block. However, as can be seen, in this embodiment, the MIN block is output to the MULT block, and the MULT block is output to the MAX block. Therefore, as in the example shown in Fig. 5, in the specific example shown in Fig. 6, the output of the current source CS1 depends on the input signals In1, In2, and In5. However, the difference is that the configuration of the switching matrix shown in Fig. 6 calculates the minimum value of DL2 and DL5 and multiplies the minimum value thereof by DL1 to obtain the current source CS1.

The configuration of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 6 facilitates various applications. One such application uses this driver design by using a MAX block to generate a final override signal. Figure 7 is a detailed block diagram of an illumination system that uses the same switching matrix of Figure 6 but has a different switch configuration (i. E., Different switches open / closed as seen). The example shown in FIG. 7 can be used in the case of an emergency lighting application of a building, where one control input is mapped directly to the MAX block connected to the backup battery. When the power of the building is dropped out, the input from the backup battery is activated, and at the same time, the dimming signal input to the interface Int3 is changed from, for example, 0% to 60%. This means that the backup battery inputs power to each interface, Int3, which causes an initial dimming level DL3 of 60%. When power is off in this particular application, all of the other initial dimming signals will lose power (and thus will be set to 0% in this example), except for this 60% DL3. Since the last block is a MAX block, then the final output signal will be set to its 60% level and will allow the light sources (in this example, LEDs in this example) to be illuminated for emergency lighting to 60%. In some examples, the charge control unit of the backup battery may gradually decrease the dimming level as the charge state of the backup battery decreases. For example, continuing the power outage situation, the charge control unit of the backup battery may gradually decrease the dimming level from 60% down to 5% as the backup battery charge decreases from 15% down to 0%. This action helps to extend the time that emergency lighting is provided and also helps to reduce the hazards that arise when lights are suddenly turned off.

을 이용하여 계산될 수 있다. 기하 평균 평균화 방법의 경우, AVG 블록의 출력 신호는

를 이용하여 계산될 수 있다. 평방 평균 평균화 방법의 경우, AVG 블록의 출력 신호는

을 이용하여 계산될 수 있다. 이러한 세 개의 평균화 방법들은 예들로서 제공되며; 그러나, 가중된 평균화와 같은 다른 평균화 방법들이 다른 실시예들에서 사용될 수 있다. 8 is a block diagram of a 3-channel driver having multiple dimming interfaces in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment depicted and described above in Figs. 5-7, except for changes of the programmable switching matrix. Therefore, the preceding discussion of similar parts is equally applicable in this example. In more detail and as can be seen in FIG. 8, the switching matrix uses AVG, MULT, and MAX blocks. The AVG block is used to average the dimming levels it receives. In this example, the AVG block receives the initial dimming levels DL2 and DL5-DL7 and generates an average of these four dimming levels. Different types of averaging methods may be used for the calculations performed by the AVG block. In some instances, the averaging method may be selected via a digital dimming interface (In5), and the averaging methods may include: arithmetic mean, geometric mean, or square mean (also referred to as mean square root or RMS ). In the case of the arithmetic average averaging method, the output signal of the AVG block shown in Fig.

. ≪ / RTI > In the geometric mean averaging method, the output signal of the AVG block is

. ≪ / RTI > In the case of the square average averaging method, the output signal of the AVG block is

. ≪ / RTI > These three averaging methods are provided as examples; However, other averaging methods such as weighted averaging may be used in other embodiments.

Continuing with the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the output signal of the AVG block is fed to the MULT block (with other input signals). In turn, the output signal of the MULT block (as well as the other input signals) is fed to the MAX block as shown. The MAX block then outputs the final dimming signal to drive the LED string to the appropriate final dimming level. Actuators that use averaging calculations as described above can be used in applications where multiple sensors are installed in a space where each sensor provides a dimming level but only a single channel of that driver is dedicated to illuminating the space do. In other applications in the context of office lighting, multiple users may have control over the lighting levels in their respective cubicles, and the multiple users may also have a month slider to dim the general area, Is dimmed based on the average of each month slider. In such an application, more dimming levels are generated than the channels on the drivers.

As mentioned above, any combination of calculations can be performed by the controller. In some embodiments, the controller may be implemented using hardware (e.g., gate level logic, FPGA, or ASIC) configured to manipulate the dimming levels without using any corresponding software. For example, comparators can be used to determine the full-to-minimum or full-to-maximum dimming value. In some embodiments, the driver may be configured to facilitate additional control of the illumination system by allowing the LED driver to enable color-changing or sequencing. This can be achieved, for example, by dimming the mix of colored LEDs in the array to produce the desired color output. The different colored LEDs may be connected to different channels of the driver embodiments having multiple channels. For example, the three-channel driver shown in FIG. 5 may have a respective channel connected to different colored LED arrays-for example, red, blue, and green-to facilitate generation of the dynamic range of colors . This may be achieved, for example, by using a single signal from a DALI input / interface to control a single channel and hence a single color array (e.g., DL5 controls red, DL6 controls blue, and DL7 controls green) Can be achieved. This color-change setup may then be combined with a phase-cut dimming device coupled to Int1, for example, to provide a reduction factor to dim the entire color-change setup.

Many embodiments will be apparent in light of the disclosure. One exemplary embodiment of the present invention is a system comprising at least two dimming interfaces, wherein each of the interfaces outputs a separate dimming signal, and a controller configured to receive the dimming signals, And operating the dimming signals received from the interfaces to produce a final output dimming signal for driving the LED. In some cases, the at least two dimming interfaces may include a 0-10V interface, a phase-cut interface, a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI), a digital serial interface (DSI), a digital multiplex (DMX) Or a wireless interface. In some other cases, the controller multiplies the dimming signals received from the dimming interfaces to produce a product of the dimming signals. In some examples, the controller compares the dimming signals received from the dimming interfaces to produce an overall minimum signal and / or an overall maximum signal. Some other examples may include at least one correction block, wherein at least one correction block reduces distortions in at least one of the final output dimming signal and / or the dimming signals. Some cases may include at least two dimming modes, where each dimming mode manipulates the dimming signals in a separate manner to produce a corresponding final output dimming signal. In some other cases, the dimming modes are end-user configurable. In some instances, the controller receives a 0% dimming signal and a 100% dimming signal to facilitate advanced controller operations. Some cases may include a programmable switching matrix and a programmable switching matrix selectively feeds the dimming signals to at least one computational block such that the dimming signals are manipulated and a final output dimming signal is generated. In other cases, the at least one calculation block is one of a total minimum block outputting the lowest dimming signal, an entire maximum block outputting the highest dimming signal, and / or a multiplication block outputting the product of the dimming signals. In some examples, at least one dimming interface is selectively disabled to reduce the number of interfaces affecting the final output dimming signal.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a system comprising at least two dimming interfaces, wherein the interfaces receive inputs from dimming devices, the interfaces output dimming signals, and a controller configured to receive the dimming signals, Wherein the controller is a multiplication of the dimming signals and multiplies the dimming signals received from the interfaces to produce a final output dimming signal that can be used to drive at least one light source, to provide. In some cases, the at least one light source is at least one light emitting diode (LED). In some other cases, the system is a ballast. In some examples, at least one dimming interface is configured to receive control signals consistent with the first standard, and the other dimming interface is configured to receive control signals that conform to the second standard. In some other embodiments, at least two of the dimming interfaces may include a 0-10V interface, a phase-cut interface, a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI), a digital serial interface (DSI), a digital multiplex (DMX) Or a wireless interface.

Another exemplary embodiment of the present invention provides a method of dimming a light source, the method comprising: receiving a plurality of dimming signals to an illumination controller; generating at least one of the dimming signals to generate a final output dimming signal; Manipulating the two, and illuminating at least one light source using the final output dimming signal. In some cases, manipulating the at least two dimming signals includes multiplying at least two of the dimming signals to produce a final output dimming signal equal to a product of the at least two dimming signals. In some other instances, operating at least two of the dimming signals comprises calculating an overall minimum and / or maximum dimming signal from at least one initial dimming signal to produce at least one intermediate dimming signal, And multiplying at least one initial dimming signal with the at least one intermediate dimming signal to produce a final output dimming signal. In some examples, operating at least two of the dimming signals comprises calculating an overall minimum and / or maximum dimming signal from at least one initial dimming signal to produce a first intermediate dimming signal, Multiplying at least one initial dimming signal by the first intermediate dimming signal to produce an intermediate dimming signal and generating at least one initial dimming signal and at least one initial dimming signal from the at least one initial dimming signal and the second intermediate dimming signal, / RTI > and / or calculating a minimum dimming signal. In some examples, operating at least two of the dimming signals comprises calculating an average dimming signal from at least two initial dimming signals to produce a first intermediate dimming signal, Multiplying at least one initial dimming signal by the first intermediate dimming signal to produce at least one initial dimming signal and at least one initial dimming signal from the at least one initial dimming signal to produce a final output dimming signal, And calculating a signal.

The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description. The foregoing description is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (21)

As a light emitting diode (LED) driver,
At least two dimming interfaces, wherein each of the interfaces outputs discrete dimming signals; And
A controller configured to receive the dimming signals, wherein the controller manipulates the dimming signals received from the interfaces to generate a final output dimming signal for driving at least one LED,
/ RTI >
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. The method according to claim 1,
The at least two dimming interfaces may include a 0-10V interface, a phase-cut interface, a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI), a digital serial interface (DSI), a digital multiplex (DMX) interface, a power line communication interface, and / At least one,
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. The method according to claim 1,
The controller multiplying the dimming signals received from the dimming interfaces to produce a product of the dimming signals,
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. The method according to claim 1,
The controller may compare the dimming signals received from the dimming interfaces to produce a total minimum signal and /
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. The method according to claim 1,
At least one correction block, wherein the at least one correction block reduces distortions in at least one of the final output dimming signal and / or the dimming signals,
≪ / RTI >
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. The method according to claim 1,
At least two dimming modes, wherein each dimming mode operates the dimming signals in a separate manner to produce a corresponding final output dimming signal,
≪ / RTI >
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. The method according to claim 6,
The dimming modes may be end-user configurable,
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. The method according to claim 1,
The controller receives 0% dimming signal and 100% dimming signal to facilitate advanced controller operations,
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. 9. The method of claim 8,
A programmable switching matrix for selectively feeding the dimming signals to at least one processing block to cause the dimming signals to be manipulated and a final output dimming signal to be generated,
≪ / RTI >
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. 10. The method of claim 9,
Wherein the at least one calculation block is one of a total minimum block outputting a minimum dimming signal, a maximum maximum block outputting a maximum dimming signal, and / or a multiplication block outputting a product of the dimming signals.
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. The method according to claim 1,
At least one dimming interface is selectively disabled to reduce the number of interfaces affecting the final output dimming signal,
Light Emitting Diode (LED) Actuator. 1. A lighting control system,
At least two dimming interfaces, wherein the interfaces receive inputs from dimming devices, the interfaces output dimming signals; And
A controller configured to receive the dimming signals, wherein the controller is operable to generate the dimming signals received from the interfaces to produce a final output dimming signal that can be used to drive the at least one light source, Multiplication -
/ RTI >
Lighting control system. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein the at least one light source is at least one light emitting diode (LED)
Lighting control system. 13. The method of claim 12,
The system is a ballast,
Lighting control system. 13. The method of claim 12,
Wherein at least one dimming interface is configured to receive control signals conforming to a first standard and the other dimming interface is configured to receive control signals conforming to a second standard,
Lighting control system. 16. The method of claim 15,
The at least two dimming interfaces may be selected from a 0-10V interface, a phase-cut interface, a digital addressable lighting interface (DALI), a digital serial interface (DSI), a digital multiplex (DMX) interface, a power line communication interface, and / felled,
Lighting control system. A method of dimming a light source,
Receiving a plurality of dimming signals to an illumination controller;
Operating at least two of the dimming signals to produce a final output dimming signal; And
Illuminating at least one light source using the final output dimming signal
/ RTI >
A method of dimming a light source. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein operating the at least two dimming signals comprises:
Multiplying at least two of the dimming signals to produce a final output dimming signal equal to a product of the at least two dimming signals
/ RTI >
A method of dimming a light source. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the step of operating at least two of the dimming signals comprises:
Calculating an overall minimum and / or maximum dimming signal from at least one initial dimming signal to produce at least one intermediate dimming signal; And
Multiplying at least one initial dimming signal with the at least one intermediate dimming signal to produce a final output dimming signal
/ RTI >
A method of dimming a light source. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the step of operating at least two of the dimming signals comprises:
Calculating a total minimum and / or maximum dimming signal from at least one initial dimming signal to produce a first intermediate dimming signal;
Multiplying at least one initial dimming signal with the first intermediate dimming signal to produce a second intermediate dimming signal; And
Calculating at least one initial dimming signal and a total maximum and / or minimum dimming signal from the second intermediate dimming signal to produce a final output dimming signal
/ RTI >
A method of dimming a light source. 18. The method of claim 17,
Wherein the step of operating at least two of the dimming signals comprises:
Calculating an average dimming signal from at least two initial dimming signals to produce a first intermediate dimming signal;
Multiplying at least one initial dimming signal with the first intermediate dimming signal to produce a second intermediate dimming signal; And
Calculating at least one initial dimming signal and a total maximum and / or minimum dimming signal from the second intermediate dimming signal to produce a final output dimming signal
/ RTI >
A method of dimming a light source.

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